I started swimming 2 years ago as part of doing triathlon (please, no one beat me up). Up to this point while I've taken swimming somewhat serious I've certainly let biking and running be my focus while just trying to be an "okay" swimmer. Currently, I swim 10@100 at around 1:25 ish (I don't leave at 1:25 by my actual swim time is 1:25 per 100) with a god-awful flip turn. My volume starting this season is roughly 8 - 10k/week.
I really want to start putting more emphasis on swimming and becoming a better swimmer. I enjoy swimming and think there is a lot ahead of me. I met with a good swimmer and he is starting to point me in the right direction. The first thing we are doing is just upping my volume. I'm going to start putting in 12 - 15k each week.
My question for the good swimmers is: are there volume levels where you noticed improvement in your swimming. I mean, for example, when you starting putting in X yards per week consistently you noticed an improvement in swimming. I know this is probably different for everyone but I just wanted to get a general feel...
I know I can translate this into running - when I hit 50 miles a week I can feel the difference in my running. And from there it is usually in 10's for me. 60 miles a week and 70 miles a week.
Thanks.
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The theory goes, 1. you need to either increase training volume at your current speed or 2. you need to increase training speed.
1. 8x100 on 1:20 holding 1:15 becomes 9x100 on 1:20 holding 1:15
2. 8x100 on 1:20 holding 1:15 becomes 8x100 on 1:20 holding 1:14
#2 is easier to do in a coached practice, and if you are not a clock watcher it means you are trying to move up in lane order, trying to lead the lane, trying to move up to the next fastest lane. Eventually you need to become a clock watcher.
How much of this kind of workout improvement can translate to improvement in sprint races?
Over the past year I have brought my intervals down considerably and as such my times in 200+ yards are much better. Yet my 50s and 100s have only improved by tenths. I would like to be able to bring those times down just by ramping things up and working harder (going from 3x a week of 2000 yards) to 4x a week of more yardage. And I am talking more everything including sprint training.
The theory goes, 1. you need to either increase training volume at your current speed or 2. you need to increase training speed.
1. 8x100 on 1:20 holding 1:15 becomes 9x100 on 1:20 holding 1:15
2. 8x100 on 1:20 holding 1:15 becomes 8x100 on 1:20 holding 1:14
#2 is easier to do in a coached practice, and if you are not a clock watcher it means you are trying to move up in lane order, trying to lead the lane, trying to move up to the next fastest lane. Eventually you need to become a clock watcher.
How much of this kind of workout improvement can translate to improvement in sprint races?
Over the past year I have brought my intervals down considerably and as such my times in 200+ yards are much better. Yet my 50s and 100s have only improved by tenths. I would like to be able to bring those times down just by ramping things up and working harder (going from 3x a week of 2000 yards) to 4x a week of more yardage. And I am talking more everything including sprint training.
